Naranja Community Town Center

LOCATION

The 213+ acre property is centrally located in Oro Valley, north of Naranja Road, east of Copper Creek subdivision, south of Tangerine Road, and west of Monterra Hills subdivision.

HISTORY

In 1996, the Town purchased the west 40 acres of the site for recreational purposes and the remaining 173 acres were purchased at a State Land auction in October of 2000. Although the site is currently vacant and void of buildings, it was once used as a sand and gravel operation, as well as a mixing plant.

In May 2001, the Mayor and Town Council approved appointment of members to the Naranja Town Site Master Plan Executive Committee and Task Force. In July 2001, the Mayor and Council then authorized the Town to enter into a contract with Stantec Consulting Inc. to provide professional services.

The Naranja Executive Committee and Task Force began an extensive public participation process in June 2001 and completed the process in September 2002. This included 12 Executive Committee Meetings, 18 Task Force Meetings, two Public Forums, and a Design Workshop.

In August 2002, the Task Force accepted the Master Plan and forwarded it along with the Town Facilities Alternatives to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee voted to recommend to Town Council approval of the Master Plan and, for information only, also forwarded the Town Facilities Alternatives in September 2002.

TOWN COUNCIL ACTION

On November 20, 2002, the Mayor and Town Council accepted the Naranja Town Site Master Plan and Town Facilities Alternatives and dissolved the Master Plan Task Force and Executive Committee. The Mayor and Council directed the Town Manager to research alternative sites within the Town for placement of necessary Town facilities. In addition, they requested a study by the Budget and Bond Committee that analyzes the potential costs of the development, funding options, and possible financing alternatives.

• Naranja Town Site Master Plan and Town Facilities Alternatives
• Master Plan Final Report

NARANJA TOWN SITE UPDATE

At the direction of the Town Council, the Budget and Bond Committee analyzed the potential development and operating costs of the Naranja Town Site. The Committee reported their findings to the Council on March 24, 2003 and recommended that the Town "program" the major facilities of the site to better determine the scope and cost of each facility. A necessary part of the programming for the performing arts facility is a needs assessment with a market analysis.

On December 17, 2003 the Mayor and Town Council approved Resolution (R)03-114 to enlist the services of Webb Management Services to provide the Town with a professional feasibility study for performing arts facilities.

The purpose of a needs assessment/feasibility study is to:

• Identify potential audiences and users
• Survey existing facilities within the same market area
• Analyze the need for a facility given all the variables
• Identify the potential benefits of a facility
• Identify the appropriate type and scale of facility, if any, for our community